§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of whether the targets set in the 10-year anti-drugs strategy will be achieved by 2008; and if he will make a statement. [24386]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthWe are currently reviewing progress against all the Drugs Strategy targets to ensure that we still have the right balance and focus. We have made good progress in establishing programmes to drive forward the Strategy and in delivering our short-term goals. Drug use in the general population remains stable with some significant reductions in the proportion of young people aged 16–19 taking drugs, although there has been a small increase in the proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds reporting cocaine use
We know we need to be even more effective at tackling the harm caused by Class A drugs. That is why, as he indicated in his evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 23 October 2001, the Home Secretary is seeking advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on their assessment for reclassifying cannabis from Class B to Class C. We are also implementing a series of harm minimisation measures, in partnership with the Department of Health, such as the publication of an action plan to reduce drug-related deaths.